Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Jesus doesn’t waste any time with us today.  Immediately puts us on the operating table.  No anesthesia.  Just cuts us wide open and exposes our hearts.  It’s the kind of heart surgery we’ve been trying to avoid all our lives.  But the time has come.  Yes, the time has come for some radical open heart surgery.  Surgeon Jesus reveals the heart disease we’d rather not see.  It’s the root of all the rot, gunk and filth in our life.  What is the heart disease?  It’s idolatry!

“Can’t serve two masters,” Jesus says flat out.  “If you love material things – including all your boy and girl toys – then you won’t love God.  If you love your toys, then you’ll hate God  There’s no middle ground  It’s one or the other.”  Can’t get any clearer than that!  Leave it to Jesus to unmask our idolatry.  No spin with Him.  Just the unvarnished truth of our heart disease.

All our worries and all our anxieties show us to be people of little faith.  Our loves reveal the idols we serve.  What we love we cling to with all our heart.  That to which your heart clings is your God.  Idolatry takes place primarily in the heart.  And the heart is an idol factory.  Pumping out more idols than Toyota can manufacture Tundras or Ford F 150s.

We live as if God doesn’t exist.  As if our Father’s creating care is no good any more.  As if Jesus’ Good Friday dying is a nothing.  As if our Baptism is a nothing.  As if our living and our lives are everything.  So we fret and we frazzle about our lives like we’re in total control.  As if our lives and all the creaturely things that go with it like food, drink and clothes all depend on us.  As if we are the Creator and not the creature.  No wonder we’re so nervous and jumpy.  Worried to death about losing what we’ve worked so hard to achieve.  No wonder we’re people of “little faith.” 

Ever seen a Blue Jay get in the tractor and plant 40 acres?  When was the last time you saw a sparrow hop in the seat of the combine, harvest the corn and wheat, and take it to the grain elevator?  Of course not.  “And yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Aren’t you worth more in God’s sight than the birds?”

How many years have you added to your life by all your worry?  Doesn’t amount to much.  In fact, it’s all been a waste of time.  Ask the doctor.  He’ll tell you that you’ve probably taken years off of your life with all your anxiety and high blood pressure.

When was the last time you saw the tulips and lilies take out a sewing machine and stitch up some Nike shocks or Wrangler jeans for themselves?  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rose bush take up needle and thread to sew a sweater vest or prom dress.  “And yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like these.  So if God dresses the grass of the field, that is alive today and gone tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you, O people of little faith?”  

Idols crack.  Idols break.  Under the weight we put on them.  So when they break apart and crumble, people of little faith need a bigger Jesus.  And that’s the very Jesus that comes to you today.  With His kingdom and His righteousness.  He comes with the reign of His King Calvary death.  To lord His Blood over your idols and your idolatry.  For the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin.  His blood cleanses your heart.  The heart disease is forgiven.  For He went into death and damnation for you. 

Jesus has taken care of the big things.  Now you can trust Him with even the little things.  Now the little things can no longer be your idols.  Your heavenly Father knows that you need clothes, food and drink.  He’ll provide.  He always has.  He always will.  Out of His fatherly divine goodness and mercy.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Now you are now people of GREAT FAITH.  Your faith is great because your hearts trust in Jesus.  He is greater than any and all of your sin including the idolatries of the heart.  You are redeemed.  You are His own and you live under Him in His kingdom.  Just as He has risen from the dead He lives and reigns to all eternity FOR YOU.  Happy serving God and not mammon.

In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.